Le Mans 2022: Race Results And Full Standings

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most prestigious and challenging endurance races in the world. The 2022 edition, the 90th running of the event, took place on June 11-12, 2022, at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France. This year's race was particularly special, marking the centenary of the first 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923, adding an extra layer of excitement and historical significance to the event. The race saw fierce competition across all classes, with dramatic overtakes, mechanical failures, and strategic decisions playing crucial roles in the final outcome.

Hypercar Class: Toyota Gazoo Racing Secures Victory

The Hypercar class was the main focus, featuring the latest generation of top-tier endurance racing machines. Toyota Gazoo Racing once again proved their dominance, securing a one-two finish. The No. 8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid, driven by Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa, claimed the overall victory after a grueling 24 hours. Their sister car, the No. 7 Toyota, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and José María López, finished second, ensuring a celebratory result for the Japanese manufacturer. This victory underscored Toyota's commitment to endurance racing and their continued success in the Hypercar era.

The race wasn't without its challenges for Toyota. The No. 7 car faced early setbacks, including a puncture and minor mechanical issues, which put them behind the leading No. 8 car. However, the team's relentless pace and strategic pit stops allowed them to maintain a strong presence at the front. The No. 8 car, on the other hand, had a relatively cleaner race, with the drivers maintaining consistent lap times and avoiding major incidents. Their performance highlighted the importance of reliability and consistency in endurance racing, where even small mistakes can cost a team valuable time.

Behind the Toyotas, the competition was fierce. The No. 709 Glickenhaus Racing SCG 007 LMH, driven by Ryan Briscoe, Richard Westbrook, and Franck Mailleux, secured a commendable third-place finish, marking a significant achievement for the American manufacturer. Glickenhaus showed impressive pace and reliability throughout the race, proving that they are a serious contender in the Hypercar class. Their podium finish was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, who have been steadily improving their performance in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

The No. 708 Glickenhaus also showed promise but faced some setbacks during the night, including a puncture and minor mechanical issues. Despite these challenges, the team managed to finish the race, gathering valuable data and experience for future events. The Alpine Elf Matmut A480-Gibson, driven by Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere, and André Negrão, finished fourth, completing the Hypercar class finishers. Alpine faced a tough race, struggling to match the pace of the Toyotas and Glickenhaus cars. However, their consistent performance and strategic decisions allowed them to secure a respectable result.

LMP2 Class: Jota Sport Takes the Win

In the LMP2 class, the No. 38 Jota Sport Oreca 07-Gibson, driven by António Félix da Costa, Roberto González, and Will Stevens, emerged victorious after a thrilling battle. The LMP2 class is known for its close competition and intense racing, and the 2022 edition was no exception. Jota Sport's victory was a result of their consistent performance, strategic pit stops, and the exceptional driving of their lineup. The team's experience and preparation were evident throughout the race, allowing them to capitalize on opportunities and overcome challenges.

The No. 9 Prema Orlen Team Oreca, driven by Robert Kubica, Louis Delétraz, and Lorenzo Colombo, finished second, just a few seconds behind the Jota Sport car. The Prema team put up a strong fight, leading the race at various stages, but ultimately fell short of victory. Their performance, however, demonstrated their potential and competitiveness in the LMP2 class. The No. 28 Jota Sport Oreca, driven by Oliver Rasmussen, Ed Jones, and Jonathan Aberdein, completed the podium, securing a double podium finish for Jota Sport.

The LMP2 race was filled with drama and excitement, with multiple lead changes and close battles throughout the 24 hours. Several teams faced mechanical issues and accidents, highlighting the demanding nature of the race. The No. 13 TDS Racing x Vaillante Oreca, driven by Nyck de Vries, Mathias Beche, and Tijmen van der Helm, had a strong start but suffered a mechanical issue that cost them valuable time. Similarly, the No. 45 Algarve Pro Racing Oreca, driven by Steven Thomas, James Allen, and René Binder, showed promising pace but encountered a setback in the night.

LMGTE Pro Class: Porsche GT Team Celebrates Victory

The LMGTE Pro class saw a thrilling finish, with the No. 91 Porsche GT Team 911 RSR-19, driven by Gianmaria Bruni, Richard Lietz, and Frédéric Makowiecki, claiming victory. This was a significant win for Porsche, who faced stiff competition from Ferrari and Corvette throughout the race. The LMGTE Pro class is known for its high level of competition, with factory-backed teams and some of the world's best GT drivers battling for supremacy. Porsche's victory was a testament to their engineering excellence and the skill of their drivers.

The No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE Evo, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Daniel Serra, finished second, just a few seconds behind the Porsche. The Ferrari team put up a strong fight, leading the race at several points, but ultimately couldn't match Porsche's pace in the closing stages. The No. 64 Corvette Racing C8.R, driven by Tommy Milner, Nick Tandy, and Alexander Sims, completed the podium, securing a solid result for Corvette in their final LMGTE Pro appearance at Le Mans.

The LMGTE Pro race was filled with intense battles and strategic decisions, with the lead changing hands multiple times. The No. 92 Porsche GT Team car, driven by Michael Christensen, Kévin Estre, and Laurens Vanthoor, was also a strong contender but faced a puncture in the closing hours, which dropped them down the order. Similarly, the No. 74 Riley Motorsports Ferrari, driven by Felipe Fraga, Sam Bird, and Shane van Gisbergen, showed impressive pace but encountered a mechanical issue that hampered their chances.

LMGTE Am Class: TF Sport Aston Martin Takes Top Honors

In the LMGTE Am class, the No. 33 TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage AMR, driven by Ben Keating, Henrique Chaves, and Marco Sørensen, emerged as the winner. The LMGTE Am class is for amateur drivers and seasoned professionals, making it one of the most diverse and competitive classes in the race. TF Sport's victory was a result of their consistent performance, strategic pit stops, and the strong driving of their lineup. The team's experience in endurance racing proved crucial in navigating the challenges of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The No. 98 Northwest AMR Aston Martin, driven by Paul Dalla Lana, David Pittard, and Nicki Thiim, finished second, securing a one-two finish for Aston Martin in the LMGTE Am class. The Northwest AMR team put up a strong fight, leading the race at various stages, but ultimately couldn't match TF Sport's pace in the closing hours. The No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Porsche, driven by Cooper MacNeil, Julien Andlauer, and Thomas Merrill, completed the podium, securing a solid result for the American team.

The LMGTE Am race saw several incidents and mechanical issues, highlighting the challenges of endurance racing. The No. 85 Iron Dames Ferrari, driven by Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting, and Sarah Bovy, had a strong start but faced a mechanical issue that cost them valuable time. Similarly, the No. 59 Garage 59 McLaren, driven by Alexander West, Henrique Libório, and Ben Barnicoat, showed promising pace but encountered a setback in the night.

Conclusion: A Memorable Edition of Le Mans

The 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans was a memorable edition of the iconic race, filled with drama, excitement, and fierce competition across all classes. Toyota Gazoo Racing's victory in the Hypercar class solidified their dominance in endurance racing, while Jota Sport's win in LMP2 and Porsche GT Team's triumph in LMGTE Pro showcased the high level of competition in these categories. TF Sport's victory in LMGTE Am highlighted the diversity and excitement of the amateur class. As we look forward to future editions of Le Mans, the 2022 race will be remembered as a classic, marking a significant chapter in the history of motorsport. Guys, it was a truly epic race, wasn't it? The centenary celebration added so much to the atmosphere, and the racing was just phenomenal. Let's see what next year brings!